FEDERAL HEIGHTS, Colo. (CBS4) – Nearly two dozen new firefighters are ready to work after they graduated from training academy on Friday.

It was the first graduating class from the North Area Fire Academy.

Six departments in the north metro area created the joint academy with the goal of improving training and cooperation between the departments. Before, each agency had its own training facility.

Classes lasted for eight weeks teaching firefighting, hazardous materials and rescue training.